In this chapter of the histories of our proud land I shall speak of Farganesh,
the self-proclaimed Ghoul king of Marienburg. This foul creature preyed upon
the unknowing trad-ing city for over two centuries, his presence felt but rarely,
if ever, seen. It is rumoured that the foul Strigoi vampire entered the sprawling
city-port of Marienburg hidden within an earth-filled crate inside the hold
of a trading ship. It is said by some historians that he was fleeing from the
attentions of other breeds of vampire rivals, who had hunted him ruthlessly
through Tilea far to the south. Farganesh crept through the city streets in
the dead of night, though the trade in that bustling city, legal or not, continues
at all hours. He skulked through the darkness aimlessly, keep-ing out of sight,
wary of his surroundings and concealed deep within the shadows.

Eventually, he found his way to the ancient cemetery of St. Brigidine, located
at the very heart of what was once the flourishing Garden district. He hid within
the ancient family crypts, feeding upon the flotsam of Marienburg at night,
fearing discovery. It is unknown how the ghouls that came to follow him entered
the city, though it is believed that the vampire mentally called them to him
from their depraved cannibal tribes to the north and west.

Regardless of how they came to be there, the ghouls that followed the foul
Strigoi flour-ished, feeding well on the refuse of the city, the criminals and
low life that no-one would miss. The corrupt and seedy city itself was perfectly
suited to the flesh-eating ghouls as bodies were easy to find, usually the result
of some drunken brawl, or a vendetta between business rivals. For a while Marienburg
was regarded as safer than ever before, for the bodies that used to be found
knifed in alleys or floating in the harbour were rarely seen anymore, taken
as they were by the Strigoi’s ghouls.

Farganesh and his twisted followers, a hideous parody of a nobleman and his
courtiers, spread their claws throughout Marienburg, a hidden sickness that
ate away at the city from within, like a cancer. People began to disappear at
a much higher rate, and it soon became apparent to the citizens that some foul
presence had taken residence within their city, though what it was and where
it was located remained a terrifying mystery. The fear within the city was palpable,
and the city’s trade began to be affected, as merchants became reluctant to
be present within the city walls after dark. The vampire and his follow-ers
were careful never to be seen, except as shadowy forms in the darkness and it
was later discovered that Farganesh’s minions had carved out a great cave beneath
the graveyard, with hidden access points located within the various crypts and
sepulchres. Here they enacted foul feasts and all manner and form of depravity.

For two centuries Farganesh fed upon the Marienburgers without being discovered,
until a pale-skinned lady of noble bearing came before the Sigmarite priests,
and told of this foul presence feeding upon the city while it slept. The histories
do not mention the good lady’s name, though it was said she was of particularly
pale complexion, and was renowned as a great beauty. Her fanciful story could
easily have been laughed off, but her obvious nobility (and the substantial
monies she apparently gifted to the temple) encour-aged the Sigmarites to investigate
her claims further.

The horrified priests discovered that all the lady had said was true, and set
about destroy-ing the foul coterie. By the light of day they assaulted the dread
fiend within his dwelling, cleansing its foulness with fire and sword. It was
said that a mountain of skulls and bones were found beneath the cemetery, the
flesh chewed clean from the drying bones, and that great bats hung from the
roof of the cave, falling upon those who disturbed their unholy slumber. More
than this, I cannot recount, for the full horrors that were discovered are too
much for me to bear.

The Sigmarites’ purge of the foul cavern was a costly affair, and many soldiers
fell before the bestial might of Farganesh. It was said he fought like the demon
he was, tearing men apart with his filthy talons in a furious rage. He roared
his defiance, and the bodies of long dead Marienburgers rose in response, clawing
through the black earth to fall upon the Empire soldiers within the great den
of evil. It was only through the faith and belief of the Sigmarites that order
was kept amongst the soldiers and that they were restrained from fleeing the
horrific scene.

It is recounted in the annals of the Sigmarite priests that the pious Warrior
Priest Thromstom engaged the foul Strigoi in lethal combat, calling upon Sigmar
for guidance as he struck out at the creature with his great hammer. These accounts
tell how the valiant Warrior Priest felled the vampire, although its body was
never discovered. Regardless, the undead minions of Farganesh crumbled to dust.
His ghoulish minions fled into the sunlit cemetery above where they were cut
down by crossbow bolts and swords as they were caught between the righteous
soldiers below and fear of the burning sun above.

So it came to pass that the reign of Farganesh, the Ghoul king of Marienburg,
ended. It is my belief however, that he lives on, and is plot-ting the downfall
of that prosperous city-port still, biding his time and rebuilding his prodi-gious
strength. I pray that the might of Sigmar will be able to finally destroy this
beast when next he surfaces.